Pre-Law
About This Program
Pre-Law is perfect for those who are critical thinkers who are great at analyzing and formulating arguments. For those interested in careers that focus on these skills, Pre-Law (in conjunction with a major).
Why Utica University
Pre-Law at Utica University offers you a chance to work closely with dedicated faculty who study the law and can help you achieve your goals. Our faculty come from a variety of different academic fields and backgrounds, offering you a well-rounded, engaging legal education.
Career Opportunities
Pre-Law involves a focus not just on law and law school, but on core competencies that are beneficial to almost any career path. These competencies include critical thinking, problem solving, research experience, analytical thinking, and communication skills.
There is no one major that you need to take if you are interested in law school or a job in a legal profession. This means that students can major in pretty much whatever they want and be part of pre-law. What matters more than majors is what students do with their time at Utica University. GPA and LSAT scores both matter a lot for law school, and law schools also look for students who push themselves by taking hard classes and engaging in extracurricular activities. Students should pick the major that most interests them, and combine that with classes that will help them develop the necessary skills, while getting to know the faculty who will ultimately be responsible for writing letters of recommendation for law school and/or jobs.
Pre-law does not have a set of required courses. However, working with the pre-law advisor is the best way to make sure students take classes that will help them develop and advance their logical and analytical reasoning abilities, as well as their written and oral communication skills. These classes can come from a number of different disciplines, so long as there is a strong focus on these critical skills.
While pre-law will work with any major, Utica University does offer two minors that are particularly good fits for those interested in the law.
Philosophy of Law
This minor is designed to provide an introduction to the discipline of philosophy for students seeking careers in law, criminal justice or government. The main goal of the program is to help students develop the ethical and logical thinking skills required to be successful professionals. A second goal is to help students gain entrance into law or graduate school by preparing them for the LSAT or GRE exam, and by having completion of the minor indicated on their transcripts.
Law, Justice, and Society
The minor in Law, Justice, and Society is designed to provide an in-depth, interdisciplinary perspective on law. The minor focuses on the complex relationship between law and society, as well as how law is related to justice. Students in the Law, Justice, and Society minor will learn a holistic way of thinking about the interactions of law, justice, and society that will serve them well whether they go into law or another field.
Utica University Pre-Law Related Events and Opportunities
*Please note, these opportunities are offered by institutions other than Utica University. They are being collected here not because of any connection to Utica University, but rather to let you know about events that could be of interest to you all. This information will be updated regularly.
Contact Information
Office of Admissions
Daniel Tagliarina
General Information
What You'll Learn
Pre-Law is not its own set of courses, so what you’ll learn is the same as what you are learning in your other classes. What being part of pre-law will offer you is a chance to have additional advising and guidance regarding careers in the law, including applying for law school should that be your path. In addition, pre-law students are made aware of opportunities available to them related to a variety of different legal professions.
At multinational law firm Latham & Watkins, Mik Bushinski ‘17 helps tech innovators get their start
When Mik Bushinski ‘17 left Utica University, he left with dual degrees in Government and Politics (now Political Science), Economics, and an MBA ’18. He was bound for Yale Law School, one of a handful of prestigious universities that sought the Utica University grad.
READ MORE
Utica Alum leading FBI investigation into college admissions scandal
In a 200+ page criminal complaint, federal prosecutors have charged more than 50 people, including several university athletic coaches and administrators of college entrance exams, celebrities, and CEOS, in a years-long, nationwide college admissions cheating and recruitment scheme. And leading the investigation is Utica graduate Laura Smith '03 of the FBI.
READ MORERelated Programs
